Being out of pocket since leaving One Buc Place on Thursday, I missed the news conferences of Tampa Bay Bucs first-round picks safety Mark Barron (Alabama) and running back Doug Martin (Boise State).

Looking at the photos from the conference, I see Barron holding up jersey No. 24. That’s a cool number, I guess, although it seems more like a cornerback number — i.e. Derrell Revis and Champ Bailey.

What struck me is, last year’s seventh-round pick cornerback Anthony Gaitor wore No. 24. Now granted, it doesn’ t mean that Gaitor will not make the team. But unless you’re a vested veteran, it’s easier for a top draft pick to grease the hands (and perhaps the bank account) of a player who already has that number.

Now, if running back Cadillac Williams was still a Buc, I’m sure Mr. Barron would have been #42 instead.

But Barron and Gaitor aren’t the only ones. Martin is holding up a #22 jersey, one that is currently held by safety Larry Asante.

I’m not sure what Gaitor’s and Asante’s new numbers will be (they’re still listed on the Bucs’ official website with their old numbers). It is possible the rookies will choose new numbers for themselves but that doesn’t happen too often.

This is not Jerseygate or anything big. It happens every year. I just found it interesting.

I’m sure as long as Asante and Gaitor are still on the team in September, they won’t care what numbers they wear.